Marrakesh Travel Forum

HI
Why am i finding it so hard to change my money in to dirhams??.I have tryed travelex, post office, tesco, none have morrocan dirhams on there online list's??.Any help on changing my cash over.
Thanks

Because legally there arent supposed to be dirhams outside of Morocco!

theres plenty of ATMs and money changing places (theres a western union near the park at the entrance to the main square Djma Elfna next to Hotel Foucould) in Marrakech. Or whatever city youre arriving at. and most decent sized towns have ATMs.
Exchange rates are fine from the ATMs. keep stirling or usd to change if needed as a backup otherwise take enough out as you go along to last for a couple of dsys or so at a time.

Hi - Dirhams (like the Indian rupee) is a closed currency which means that they cannot be taken out of Morocco. You should not be able convert outside of Morocco, but I have heard that some airports have exchange offices(?). There should be an ATM in the airport when you arrive in Morocco but if you carry some smaller bills that should hold you over until you are able to withdraw or convert the next day. Happy Travles!

The above posters give you the reasons. There are exchange facilities at Marrakech airport - both incoming after baggage reclaim and BEFORE check-in for outgoing. You can convert on landing and BEFORE you check-in you convert back to your own currency. They will also convert every penny (or cent or whatever) back to your own currency - not the round-down figure.

Hi,

I actually work for the post Office. They can advised you if you go into a branch on any currency and its exchangability. We keep a full guide in each one. As the other folks said, you will not have any issues. They like Sterling, Euros and Dollars. No problem!

OK by now you know its a closed currency! -- But when you come back to exchaning the Dirhams - beware we could only exchange them for Euros and then we had to chase from one end of the airport to the other! Check at the first bureau de change as some of them couldn't or wouldn't change the Dirhams back

Forgot to add one vital piece of info - whatever you do - you must keep the exchange receipt of the currency you're changing into Dirhams - otherwise you can't change them back!

I had no problems whatsoever changing my Moroccan Dirhams back into GB Pounds - and there is a Bureau right in the Check-in hall that will do it for you.

hi
yeah as all the replies have said the dirham isnt available outside morocco.atms all major centres so not a problem getting local currency.you can also change cash at western union which i found really convenient. i would suggest getting a pocket full of coins as everyone expects a tip and you can get caught with larger notes.another suggestion in case nobody else has mentioned it is to fix a price at the start of every taxi ride.alot of the grand and petit taxis dont have or dont use a meter so prices can vary greatly. an amazing country to visit.enjoy

If you think things are difficult now, just wait til you get there! In Marrakech I found that many banks would not change my sterling travellers cheques without my bank receipt! On the other hand my hotel reception would cash them - no paperwork though and a charge of 20 dirhams/cheque. When we got to the airport the beareau de change will only change to Euros. Difficult for Brits, but they will accept euros in the duty free lounge.

Hi, but a lot of frequent travellers will say, including myself, that Travellers cheques are very rarely these days advantageous - actually are a pain and Ive only ever used them once and that was in China 10 years ago and they were totally unnecessary there way back then as well.

Most countries who are well served with ATMs and electronic services and international communications carrying a certain amount of sterling or USD stashed away in your money belt as emergency back up along with an ATM access card to withdraw money alternative days or whatever needs are, and a credit card for any big purchases where credit cards are accepted - eg buying carpets! - are safest and most convenient ways to travel with money and supply.

I have just come back from marrakesh, as soon as you land in morocco you go straight to the currency exchange in the airport before you get your taxi. Its easy and simple. KEEP YOUR RECEIPT THAT THEY GIVE YOU!!! i came back with alot of dirhams as we almost missed our flight and completly forgot about exchanging them! So i have £120 worth of moroccan dirhams if anyone wants them to swop for uk pounds??

Natalie,

You may want to post that issue seperately so more folks will see it.

Good luck!

Hi

I have heard that Morooco have what is called a closed currency, whereby you cannot take Moroccon dirhams in or out of the country, meaning you cannot buy any dirhams outside of Morocco.
At the moment you would get more dirhams against the Euro then pound stirling, but not a big difference, so if you have euro notes take them as well as pound stirling, which can be changed at the airport and in the riads/hotels, though not sure which ones. Also debit and credit card accepted, and can be used in ATM's.

Hope that helps.